The mission was organized on the 6th day of May, 1914, by the Dean
of Rock Springs the Rev. A.F. Schezz, Dean in Charge, and the Right Rev.
N.S. Thomas, First Bishop of Wyoming. The First Bishop Committee
were Syrous F. Fish, Al
Osterhaut, Kenneth L. Luman, Dr. Wilson, F. McDell and Howard W. Heitz.
A contract for the immediate erection of the church was let to the
Lincoln Lumber Co. of Kemmerer, Wyoming. May 9, 1914, C.
P. McGlashan conveyed to the Right Rev. Nathaniel S. Thomas, Bishop
of Wyoming, by warranty deed lots 6 and 7, block 13, McGlashan Addition
to the town of Big Piney. The property is in section 31, township
30 north, range 111 west.
The Church of St. John the Baptist was under construction in June, 1914. At connocation, Bishop Thomas said, "The church should be finished by August 15 according to the contract." At connocation June 15, the Bishop said, "St. John the Baptist is now complete and ready for consecration, there being no indebtedness whatsoever." The Bishop's books list the value as follows: land - $300.00, Church - $3500, furnishings - $350.00
The Calpet school was moved to Big Piney to be used as a music room
by Sublette County School District #9 in the early 1960's. When the
school was no longer using the building Bob Springman, Sr., made the arrangements
to have the building moved to the Episcopal church for a parrish hall.
It was added to the east of the church and appears as part of the original
building as can be seen in the left part of the bottom picture. The
kitchen was built on the parrish hall in the late 60's by John and Suzanne
Gallemore as a memorial for Francis Tanner.
This history was gathered from the archives of the Episcopal Diocese
of Wyoming and the first book of records of St. John the Baptist, Big Piney,
Wyoming.
Source: Marilyn Ray Vickrey